Our Summary
This paper provides a set of recommendations for how to best take care of patients before, during, and after thoracic surgery, primarily lung removal. The recommendations are made based on analysis of a wide range of studies and trials. The goal is to reduce complications after surgery and speed up recovery.
The report makes 45 specific recommendations covering all stages of the surgical process. These include counseling patients before surgery, checking their nutritional status, advising them to quit smoking, and preparing high-risk patients for surgery. They also suggest not making patients fast before surgery, giving them carbohydrates, avoiding sedatives before surgery, preventing blood clots, and keeping patients warm.
During surgery, they recommend using short-acting anesthetics for quicker recovery, regional anesthesia, controlling nausea and vomiting, minimizing the use of painkillers, managing fluid levels, and using minimally invasive surgery techniques.
After surgery, the guidelines suggest removing chest drains early, avoiding urinary catheters, and getting patients moving as soon as possible.
The authors believe that following these guidelines can improve the outcomes of surgery. They are confident in their recommendations, as most are based on high-quality studies. However, in some cases where the data isn’t strong enough, they’ve made generic recommendations or used information from other specialties. In some cases, they haven’t made a recommendation due to lack of evidence.
FAQs
- What are some of the pre-surgery recommendations for patients undergoing thoracic surgery?
- What guidelines are suggested for the surgical process and post-surgery care in thoracic surgery?
- How confident are the authors in their recommendations and what do they base their recommendations on?
Doctor’s Tip
It is important for patients to follow these recommendations to ensure a smooth recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Additionally, it is crucial for patients to closely follow their doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor their progress. By taking these steps, patients can increase their chances of a successful outcome after lung surgery.
Suitable For
Patients who may be recommended for lung surgery include those with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung infections, lung nodules, thoracic trauma, or other lung diseases. The decision to undergo lung surgery is typically made after thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team including surgeons, pulmonologists, radiologists, and oncologists. The patient’s overall health, age, lung function, and stage of the disease are all taken into consideration when determining if surgery is the best treatment option.
It is important for patients to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with their healthcare provider and to follow pre-operative instructions to optimize their outcomes. Following the recommendations outlined in this paper can help reduce complications and improve recovery following lung surgery.
Timeline
Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after lung surgery involves pre-surgical counseling, preparation, and assessments, followed by the surgical procedure itself, and then post-operative care and monitoring. This includes managing pain, preventing complications, promoting mobility, and ensuring a smooth recovery process. By following these guidelines, patients can experience better outcomes and faster recovery after lung surgery.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about lung surgery include:
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with lung surgery?
- How should I prepare for surgery, including any lifestyle changes or medications I need to take?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
- What is the expected recovery time and what can I do to speed up my recovery?
- How will pain be managed after surgery?
- What follow-up care will be needed after the surgery?
- Will I need any additional treatments or therapies after surgery?
- What are the chances of the cancer returning after surgery?
- How soon can I return to normal activities and work after surgery?
- Are there any specific dietary or exercise recommendations I should follow after surgery?
Reference
Authors: Batchelor TJP, Rasburn NJ, Abdelnour-Berchtold E, Brunelli A, Cerfolio RJ, Gonzalez M, Ljungqvist O, Petersen RH, Popescu WM, Slinger PD, Naidu B. Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2019 Jan 1;55(1):91-115. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezy301. PMID: 30304509